Johannesburg may be the site of Gauteng’s newest airport, it was announced on Friday. An economic feasibility study will be conducted by the Johannesburg metro council to determine the merits of building a fifth airport in the province.
“The White Paper on National Policy on Airports and Airspace Management states it clearly that new airports or any airport development process should evolve on the basis of economic and financial viability and sustainability,” said city spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane.
“It is within this context that the city took a decision to embark on an economic feasibility study,” he said.
The city has called for tenders regarding the feasibility study on such an airport. The opening date was March 7 and the closing date is March 25.
The tender invitation requires, among other aspects, analysis of national transport logistics, a comparative analysis on the possible expansion of current airports rather than the building of a new one, and a look at the economic viability and sustainability of the project.
Currently Gauteng is serviced by OR Tambo International, Lanseria and Grand Central airports, as well as Rand Airport (which mostly provides air-traffic control). The possibility of using a new airport for both passengers and cargo will be explored in the feasibility study.
“A combination of both scenarios will be desirable as this would allow for decongestion at OR Tambo International Airport, support the development of regional flights, encourage an efficient logistics platform, and serve as an economic infrastructure package for broader economic development,” said Modingoane.
The study is expected to be concluded by June.